Forged in Flames

by Harper Wylde

  “We actually ran into each other on a hike. We both love the outdoors. On the west side of the commune is this beautiful waterfall. I’d wanted to see it before it froze for the winter and Joshua did too. We got to talking, and before I knew it, the entire afternoon had passed.” Molly waved a hand in the air as if to clear it of the memory. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. Really. I have a great group of guys and I’m happy that Joshua finally placed a bid on someone. It’s the first time he’s ever shown romantic interest before. If there’s anyone I think would fit with your current group of men, it would be him.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” It was a fib. It didn’t matter how nice any of my suitors were, I wasn’t comfortable adding any additional men into my harem. I was happy with the ones I had. We were a family, and we were perfect just the way we were. It was one of the reasons I had such a hard time going through with this whole suitor business. The men trying to date me were just wasting their time, energy, and resources on a match that would never take place.

  Guilt ate at me, taking up permanent residence in my heart.

  Rini struck up another conversation about the other men Molly was dating, prying for information while at the same time distracting Molly from her disappointment over Joshua. Apparently, Molly had received numerous gifts already, ranging from elaborate flower bouquets to a freaking boat. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the expense that went into mating. It seemed so political and unnatural to me. The men strutted around like peacocks, flashing their feathers, money, and connections, in hopes that it would land them the female of their choosing. I couldn’t imagine fawning over such trivial things.

  I cared more about honesty, integrity, and faithfulness—all of which Damien, Hiro, Ryder, Killian, and Theo had in spades. I loved learning about their hobbies, their likes and dislikes, and what they were passionate about. A good heart would trump a good wallet any day of the week as far as I was concerned. I’d rather live poor and be happy, than be rich and live a pseudo life.

  Being around my guys brought me joy. It was an emotion that had been absent in my previous life, but I wouldn’t have changed the broken road that led me to happiness.

  “She has that dreamy look on her face again,” Rini whispered to Molly, and the two of them giggle as I snapped myself back to reality.

  “I do not.” I scoffed a laugh.

  “You so do. Now that I’ve put Molly on the hook, I think it’s your turn Nix. Somehow we keep getting distracted from the topic, but you can’t escape it this time. What are your plans for mating with the guys?” Rini and Molly paused in their cleanup, both looking at me expectantly.

  “I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t have an answer for you.” I ran my hands over my thighs, the texture of the denim rubbing against my palms.

  “You’re making her nervous,” Molly play whispered to Rini, before turning keen eyes back on me. “Why are you hesitant?”

  “I’m not hesitant about wanting the guys as mates. I do. And I definitely plan on mating with them.” The girls squealed, their high-pitched girly sounds branding my ears. Then I added, “Someday.” I pressed my lips together as I tried to find a way to explain my feelings in a way my friends would understand. “Just a few months ago I considered myself human. I grew up in that world with human expectations and ideals for things like relationships, dating, and marriage. It’s hard to wrap my mind around how different things are in the shifter world.” I shook my head at the silliness of what I was going to say next. “You know that funny song ‘first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage’?” The girls laughed.

  “Even shifter children sing that rhyme,” Molly chimed in.

  “Well, I still believe in that order of things, even though in the human world many consider that an old-fashioned view. It’s not that I believe it’s right for everyone, just that it’s what I’d always pictured for myself. I’m young, and I just want to enjoy spending time and deepening my relationships with my mates. To me, mating is like marriage. I fully plan on marrying someday, but I want to enjoy the journey that takes me to that point. Does that make sense?”

  The room grew more serious as both Rini and Molly digested what I’d said. “It does, Nix.” Rini reached across the couch and squeezed my knee in support.

  “Besides, we haven’t had a chance to say ‘I love you’ yet—”

  “But you do… you know… love each other,” Rini butted in, but I ignored her to continue on like she hadn’t interrupted.

  “—and I want to learn more about the different mating rituals that are important to the guys and their alters. Theo told me that the traditions are different among different mythological types, and it means a lot to me to know the ins and outs of each tradition. Tally that up with how crazy life has been and the fact that we don’t even have the Council’s permission to mate, and the odds are stacked against us.” My hands balled into fists at the mention of the Council and all the roadblocks they’d thrown up against us. If there was one thing I resented the most about the Council, it was the cocky way in which they thought they had a say in my life.

  “The Council believes they hold more power than they do,” Rini bit out, clearly feeling the same way I did about their overinflated self-importance, but the way she’d expressed her disgust had my focus shifting from Rini to Molly faster than a speeding bullet. I waited, trying to gauge Molly’s reaction to the borderline treasonous way in which Rini had shown her distaste, but Molly just nodded her head—looking to be in full agreement.

  Skipping over the worrisome comment, Molly tapped at her chin like she’d just come up with a brilliant plan. “You know, you could be the one to make the grand ‘I love you’ gesture first. Who says we have to wait on men to do these things for us.”

  “Huzzah! I’m with Mol’s on this one!” Liveliness rolled over Rini as if the earlier gravity in the room had never existed at all. Checking her watch, Rini stood and pulled Molly to her feet. “Alright lady, it’s time for you to go get your cute butt changed. You don’t have much prep time left!”

  Molly disappeared down the hallway to the guest bathroom on an excited squeal, talking the whole way about not knowing which outfit she should wear.

  Sitting down beside me, Rini propped her feet on the coffee table, rested back into the couch, and sighed in contentment, while we waited for Molly. Shocking me, she brought up another random topic that gave me whiplash. “Did you ever happen to read those marked pages in the stack of books I lent you?”

  “I’m still reading through the first book, but I’m nearly to the part you marked.”

  Rini seemed confused. “Wait, you’re reading the whole book? But I folded the sections you needed to read.”

  I held up my fingers, ticking off my points. “First off, it’s blasphemous to dog-ear pages in a paperback. Those poor books. Bookmarks were invented for that exact reason. Secondly, there’s no way I can jump into the middle of a book and read a few paragraphs out of context. That’s like watching the end of a movie, only to go back to the beginning after you already know the outcome. So many spoilers, it’s not even funny.”

  Rini sighed and threw up her hands in defeat. “Just promise me you’ll read through them soon, okay?”

  My forehead wrinkled as my brows pulled together at Rini’s crypticness about this whole romance novel thing, and my curiosity spiked. “I promise.”

  “Good.” She sighed and pushed herself back up when Molly reentered room.

  We both gasped. “You look gorgeous, Molly,” I praised, and Rini threw in her own handful of compliments.

  “Now then…” Rini’s typical grin spread over her lips as she said, “Let’s get our Cinderella to the ball.”

  Sixteen

  Damien

  I’m sorry about this, I projected to my friends and Nix for the millionth time as we headed up the walkway to my parents’ house. This dinner was planned before our schedules grew to be so crazy. I kept all thoughts of the rebel
lion locked down tight. Being home again had me on edge. The risk of a hole in my carefully guarded mental wall while I was in close proximity to so many powerful mythologicals—some with mental powers that rivaled or surpassed my own—would be devastating, not only to our cause, but our safety.

  I focused all my energy on keeping the mental shield I’d erected around the guys, Nix, and myself in place. Every afternoon I’d been practicing my skills, trying to improve and expand on the mental abilities I possessed. If I had powers like my father before me—which I believed I did—then I had more mental abilities I’d yet to explore, and I was determined to learn how to wield them all.

  You’re doing a good job, D, Theo reassured me.

  Let’s just get in, get out, and get home, Killian mumbled, his large frame bringing up the rear of our group. I knew he was pretending to hang back out of sheer unwillingness to be here, but I easily picked up on the true meaning behind his actions—to guard Nix’s back and keep our mate safe. It was the same reason that Hiro and Ryder flanked her on either side, while Theo and I took the front of our group. I wasn’t sure that Nix noticed our protective formation. Even though we all knew our Phoenix was capable of protecting herself—especially with the extra training she’d been receiving from Killian, as well as the rest of us—she was our mate, and we’d always protect her to our fullest ability.

  Nix played with her fingers nervously as we neared the front door, but Ryder reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze before releasing her. It wouldn’t be safe for any of us to be overly friendly in my father’s presence for fear of his involvement on the Council. I hated that I couldn’t waltz into my home and announce Nix as mine, but I was determined to keep that information to myself for now. Hopefully, someday the need for secrecy wouldn’t be an issue and I’d be able to introduce her to my parents as my mate. It was a day I looked forward to.

  I took a deep breath, turned the handle on the front door, and pushed my way inside, calling out to my mother in the process. “Mom! I’m home.”

  I heard the clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen, and the fresh scents of a home-cooked meal filtered toward us as we entered the house. A swirl of spices that hinted at a savory meal had my feet moving toward the kitchen with everyone trailing behind me.

  “Damien!” my mother exclaimed, as I slipped in behind her at the stove, giving her a hug from behind before dipping a finger into the white sauce she was stirring on the stove, and stealing a taste. Smacking my hand, she let out a light laugh and turned to greet the rest of the guys with warm hugs. “Nix!” my mom said, pulling her into a similar hug. She tensed slightly, and I watched Nix relax into the hold and return my mother’s gesture. I knew she still wasn’t comfortable with touch, but she was already healing in leaps and bounds, becoming more accustomed to casual touch with others, as well as the more intimate ones between our group. A proud feeling filled my chest.

  Across the room, Theo and I locked eyes and I read the same sentiments running through his mind.

  Nix’s nervousness eased as she hopped into a seat at the kitchen island that my mother waved her toward.

  You have nothing to worry about. She loves you. I tried to help her feel more comfortable, smiling at the light blush that worked its way onto her cheeks.

  I’m not used to all this family. You guys have such great ones. I felt a lingering sadness that she hadn’t grown up with something similar, yet behind the resentment of her past was a strong hope for the future.

  It grows on you. Ryder’s mouth curved into a gentle smile and he settled on the stool next to Nix’s at the island, his shoulder brushing against hers.

  Careful. I hated to warn the guys. Technically, the only one of us that has the ‘rights’ to touch Nix in a caring way is Theo, since he’s one of her official suitors.

  Ryder’s face grew dark at the reminder but he casually shifted in his seat, placing a few inches of space between Nix and himself.

  Luckily, my mother was busy flitting around the kitchen, getting dinner ready for us while she made small talk with the others.

  Cutting in when the opportunity arose, I asked after my father.

  “Oh, you know…” My mother smoothed her hair—just a few shades lighter than my own—out of her eyes as she peered around, as if just noticing that he had yet to join us. “He must be in his office. Working, as always.” She shot me a look that was somewhere between good-natured and frustrated. I knew she wished he’d step away from Council business more often… especially on days like today when they were entertaining company—even if it was their own son. “I’ll go get him.” She waved a hand, making her way toward the hallway.

  “No need, Mom. You stay here. I’ll get him,” I offered. “You’re right in the middle of cooking.”

  “Perfect. Tell him work stops until after dinner. Wife’s orders.” She flicked a spatula at me, giving me her ‘I mean business’ face, as she went back to tending the food on the stove.

  “Can I help with anything?” I heard Nix offer, as I slipped down the hallway, smiling at my mother’s protests that she was a guest. While it was a rather inopportune time, it was nice to be home. To have some semblance of normalcy, even just for one night.

  Knocking on the thick, wooden door that led into my father’s office, I waited for his assent before opening the door.

  Piles of paper surrounded my father as he bent over his desk, reading through a file folder that was spread out across the surface. Glancing up, my father startled and looked at the grandfather clock that sat in the corner of his office, ticking away the time.

  “Looks like time has run away with me again.” He chuckled and shuffled the papers back into the folder, putting his work away. “I can’t believe your powers didn’t even snap me out of my work. You’ve grown much stronger since I last saw you. Your shields are remarkable.” He stood and strode forward, shaking my hand before pulling me into a more familiar hug and patting me on the back.

  “I’ve been working on expanding my powers. It’s nice to have a strong mentalist such as yourself acknowledge that they are, in fact, increasing in strength.”

  “Exponentially. It’s remarkable, really. I always knew you would be powerful,” he mused. “I’m looking forward to seeing your skills surpass my own.”

  “You think they will?” I hedged, truly wondering just how much I would be capable of if I put my mind on training my skill set.

  Leaning back against his desk, my father crossed his arms over his chest. His build was similar to my own. Even at his age, I knew he worked out, keeping his body fit. Luckily, with our Gargoyle genetics, staying in prime, muscular shape wasn’t difficult. We were protectors, first and foremost—our mental abilities were just another facet of our primary duties. “I’ve always known you would be stronger than I am. Never a doubt in my mind. It’s one of the reasons I’d like to see you start putting more interest toward joining the Council—taking my place someday.”

  I bit back a sigh and nodded my head, as an idea suddenly worked its way to the forefront of my mind. Carefully erecting my mental walls to keep my brothers and Nix out of my thoughts, I responded, “I’m actually very interested in making that move myself. I think it’s time that I start thinking about my future and what it truly holds.”

  My father’s shoulders straightened and he cocked his head at me. “Really?” he said with a measure of surprise, before a smile curved his lips. “That’s fantastic news!” He clapped his hands together and pushed off his desk, coming to where I stood to congratulate me with another hug. “Why do I have a feeling this has to do with Annika?” He arched a brow as he pulled away, and my heart stuttered in my chest. Did he know how I felt about her?

  “Well,” I started, carefully choosing my words, “watching her handle everything she’s been through with grace, and seeing her step aside from the university she worked so hard to gain entrance to, has been inspiring. I figure if she can embrace her future, I can do the same. It’s made me think.” I spoke t
he words with sincerity—the half lie buried in the truth. I did respect Nix for all of her decisions, but I also knew I was lying about her future and my own. We belonged together, and I wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of that. However, the less my father knew, the better.

  “It sounds like I will need to thank her for the good influence she has had on you. I’ll admit, I had my doubts about her staying within your care, not because I didn’t believe in your protection skills, but because I knew having a beautiful woman living under your roof may be… tempting.” He paused for effect and I kept any reaction to his words off my face, simply waiting for him to continue. “However, it seems as though I was wrong. Annika appears to be taking her future responsibilities seriously and has started courting, and my son is finally taking an interest in Council business.”

  “So what is all this?” I took a step toward the desk, motioning to the stacks of folders and paperwork.

  Taking my curiosity as enthusiasm, my father chuckled and rounded his desk. “It’s a mixture of things. This stack over here is full of suitor requests. A once over of who bid on who and what each pairing would produce. It’s simply a way for the Council to track possible statistics, beneficial matches, potential census, that sort of thing.” He dismissed the work as boring, but my eyes lingered on the pile, wondering what was in the folders for Nix’s suitors. “This stack contains papers and reports that need to be reviewed on some of the Council’s business holdings. That’s what had my attention when you entered.” He tapped his index finger on top of the mountain of file folders and I moved closer, leaning over and whistling at the assemblage of work while I eyed the titles on the folders, trying to memorize as many of them as I could in case they’d be of any use to us later. Various business names jumped out at me and I opened my mental link enough to recite some of them to Theo, who picked up on my unspoken request to remember the company names.